UFC 152: Jones vs Belfort live play by play

Tonight Jon Jones will defend his Light Heavyweight title as he faces off against “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jones was originally supposed to face Dan Henderson at UFC 151 but that whole event was scrapped once Henderson was injured and Jones wouldn’t agree to another fight on such short notice. This will be Jones fourth title defense since he took the championship from Mauricio Rua in March of 2011 at UFC 128.

Vitor Belfort has won 7 of his last 8 with only two of those fights making it out of the first round. His sole defeat came at the hands(actually foot) of Anderson Silva when Silva delivered one of the most memorable knock outs of all time with a front kick to the face of Belfort. Belfort has won his last two since than with a first round KO/TKO over Akiyama and first round submission of Anthony Johnson.

In the Co-Main Event the UFC will finally crown its first Flyweight champion. Joseph Benavidez will take on Demetrious Johnson at the 125 weight limit. The 16-2 Benavidez is finally down to his natural weight and away from the Bantamweight Champ Dominick Cruz who handed Benavidez both of his losses. Benavidez knocked Yasuhiro Urushitani out of the four man tournament by a second round stoppage. Mighty Mouse Johnson on the other hand had to face his opponent in the tournament Ian McCall twice after the first fight that was originally given to Johnson was read wrong and the fight was actually scored a draw. When the two met up again last June Johnson made sure that even though it went to a decision the fight was clearly his to set up a match-up with Benavidez.

Facebook Prelims 6:45pm ET 3:45pm PT

Welterweights(170lbs)

Kyle Noke vs Charlie Brenneman

Ref: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1:

Noke lands the jab down the middle early than clips Brenneman with a front kick to the face. Noke lands more of that stepping jab. Noke with a right straight and drops Brenneman. Noke with some uppercuts and dives on top of Brenneman till the ref steps in and stops the fight.

Winner by TKO at :45 of round 1 Kyle Noke

Bantamweights(135lbs)

Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson

Ref: Josh Rosenthal

Round 1-

Watson with lots of jabs and kicks to keep Gagnon from closing the distance but missing on all. Now Watson jumps in and Gagnon drops him with a left when he misses a superman punch. Gagnon gets the back of Watson. Gagnon locks in the hooks and the rear naked choke.

Winner by submission at 1:09 of round 1 Mitch Gagnon.

Welterweights(170lbs)

Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen

Ref: John McCarthy

Round 1:

Baczynski staying busy with lots of punches and a few kicks. Thoresen with a good body shot as he ducks under the punch. Thoresen with a knee from the clinch. Thoresen with the the straight that has busted the lip of Baczynski. Baczynski tries to push Thoresen away and pokes Thoresen in the eye. Thoresen gets caught with a counter left over the top and Baczynski has the KO victory.

Winner by KO at 4:10 of round 1 Seth Baczynski

UFC on FX Prelims 8pm ET 5pm PT

Featherweights(145lbs)

Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage

Ref: Yves Lavigne

Round 1:

Brimage with early body shots and drops Hettes with a right. Hettes pops right back up though.Brimage with a four punch combo. Brimage works the body than goes to the hood. Hettes steps ina and Brimage sweeps his back leg out from under him Hettes is back up. Brimage hurts Hettes with a left and drops him. Brimage follows him to the canvas delivers a few punches before Hettes gets him into his guard. Brimage stands up. Hettes with the jab as Brimage is coming in with the body shots. Brimage has gotten two good lefts in now after eating the jab. Brimage is just firing away but Hettes is eating them and not going down.

Round 2-

Brimage gets taken down now in the second and Hettes is on top in half guard. Hettes with a pair of nice elbows from the top. Hettes is able to escape and get back to his feet. Hettes with a flying knee and drags Brimage back to the ground. Brimage tries to get out but Hettes is able to get over onto his back and locks in the body triangle. Brimage turns into it and is able to break it. Hettes resets and gets it again. Hettes working for the rear naked but Brimage is able to defend. Brimage turns towards the triangle and is able to get to his feet. Brimage with a pair of good jabs. Brimage with another four punch body head combo coming forward.

Round 3-

Brimage with the first and Hettes taking advantage in the second. Hettes is able to get out of the way of Brimage’s punches a little better now. Brimage with the leg kicks now. Hettes eats another pair of lefts. Hettes is bleeding behind the left ear in looks like or maybe in the hair. Hettes keeps walking into the lefts of Brimage and bounces back but he keeps walking forward. Hettes has been throwing more technical punches while Brimage is throwing haymakers on every punch. Hettes has another take down stuffed now. Brimage is taking this round even though he is constantly walking forward through the punches.

Winner by Unanimous decision(29-28×3) Marcus Brimage

Welterweights(170lbs)

Sean Pierson vs Lance Benoist

Ref: Josh Rosenthal

Round 1:

Benoist with a big punch to show he is looking to end it quick. Benoist gets the tie up and delivers a couple knees. Pierson gets free eats a kick to the side but stuns Benoist with the left hand. Pierson puts him on the fence and goes to work on the body. Pierson catches the kick and puts Benoist on his butt. Pierson follows him to the ground and nearly gets trapped in an arm bar. Benoist is able to get back to his feet after Pierson escapes. The crowd cheering on the countryman Pierson. Benoist with the clinch and Pierson goes to the body three times before connecting with a left up top. Benoist with a good lifting knee. Benoist with a straight down the middle great first round.

Round 2:

Pierson gets in side with a nice three punch combo. Benoist with a left down the middle. Pierson counters another straight with a right hook that lands flush. Pierson gets the take down and a front head lock as Benoist tries to get up. Pierson with a knee to the top of the head as they get back up. Pierson catches Benoist jumping in with a right hook that briefly drops him. Pierson with a right left combo upstairs. Pierson with his second kick of the night on the outside of the lower leg. Benoist lands a nice left. Benoist with a body kick and misses with the punches behind it. Benoist with a hard leg kick and shoots but can’t get the take down.

Round 3:

Pierson with a clean left and two right jabs from Benoist now. Slowing down a little more now both men looking to not waste energy. Pierson pokes Benoist in the eye but they don’t break for long. Pierson gets an elbow in. Pierson with another counter right. Benoist with a leaping knee on the chin of Pierson but Pierson circles out and resets. Benoist is cut under the left eye after another right hook lands from Pierson. Benoist hurts Pierson. Benoist gives chase lands an uppercut that drops Pierson. Benoist pounds away but Pierson defends he is now trapped in a crucifix and eats elbows. Pierson gets back to his feet and is able to survive till the end.

Winner by judges scores of 29-28x 3 Sean Pierson

Lightweights(155lbs)

TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham

Ref: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1:

Dunham with a nice three punch combo that ends with an elbow. Grant walks him down and lands his own upper cut and a shin across the thighs. Grant is doing good a at keeping Dunham cornered. Dunham though is firing away though and these two are standing and banging. Grant steps to the side of Dunham and lands his foot across Dunhams face. Both men have small cuts now. Grant with a series of elbows now as he has Dunham on the fence. Grant with a nice right left combo as they break. Dunham gets the take down. Dunham is able to keep the top to close the round.

Round 2:

Grant grabs the back of Dunhams head and lands an upper cut. Dunham with counter right after he eats a straight. Grant with knee to the forehead of Dunham that bust him open. Dunham smiles and eats a right. Dunham can’t get the take down. Dunham looks to be determinedas he fires punches in bunches. Grant with another knee and Dunham screams and comes forward. Dunhams face is blood red. Grant eats a high kick and than gets taken down. Dunham punching away and Grants is able to get back to his feet.

Round 3:

Dunham comes out firing away. Grant is now getting walked down. Dunham with combos every time now. Leg kick and body shot by Grant. Dunham is coming forward and Grant is landing the leg kick as he comes in. Grant with a solid right as he ducks under Dunhams punches. Dunham can’t get the take down this time. Dunham with left right and Grant counters with a right left hook of his own. Grant catches another kick. Dunham with a head kick but has a take down stuffed. These two are putting on a hell of a fight. Dunham with the take down now and is in the guard of Grant. Dunham is dropping blood and elbows on Grant. Grant moves both ways to keep the elbows from landing.

Winner by judges scores of 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 TJ Grant

Light Heavyweights(205lbs)

Igor Pokrajac vs Vinny Magalhaes

Ref: John McCarthy

Round 1:

They tie up immediately and Pokrajac puts his back on the fence. Magahlaes gets the trip and lands some elbows from the full guard. Pokrajac holds onto the wrist to try and stop it and Magalhaes pulls back and drops a big punch. Magalhaes gets side control. Magalhaes goes for a kimura than switches to an arm bar. When he does he goes to the bottom position and now Pokrajac escapes and is now in full guard. Magalhaes immediately works the rubber guard. Magalhaes lets it go and Pokrajac escapes back to his feet. The tie back up and Pokrajac with a right in close before the round ends.

Round 2:

Pokrajac with an inside leg kick early. Magalhaes with a knee from the tie up. Pokrajac gets the trip Magalhaes has the triangle as the land. Magalhaes switches to the arm bar and rolls him. Magalhaes extends his and Pokrajac screams and taps.

Winner by submission(arm bar) at 1:14 of round 2 Vinny Magalhaes

UFC 152 Main card on PPV 10pm ET 7pm PT

Featherweights(145lbs)

Cub Swanson vs Charles Oliveira

Ref: Yves Lavigne

Round 1:

Swanson with leg kicks while Oliveira with the straight punches. Oliveira ducks under a punch and drops down and grabs the legs of Swanson and gets the take down. Swanson is able to back his butt out. Swanson with a wicked body shot that jars the body of Oliveira. Oliveira backs up and Swanson lunges forward after a body feint and connects to the temple of Oliveira. Oliveira legs stay up for a second than he follows over side ways.

Winner by knock out at 2:40 of round 1 Cub Swanson

Light Heavyweights(205lbs)

Matt Hamill vs Roger Hollett

Ref: Dan Miragliotta

Round 1:

Hamill aggressive early charges Hollett. Hollett has thrown the hay maker now a couple times. Hollett with a good body shot. Hollett with a right over the top. Hamill is back to walking down Hollett. Hamill lands the left as Hollett tries to circle away. Hamill is holding his hands up high and throwing looping punches like the Diaz bros. Hamill locks on a single and picks up and slams Hollett. Hollett turtles up and Hamill pounds away. Hamill is punching and punching and punching and Hollett is able to survive until he can spring up. 13 seconds left and Hollett drills Hamill in the body than up top as the round ends. Hamill walks to the wrong corner.

Round 2:

Hollett standing flat in front of Hamill and eats a couple punches. Hollett with a spinning back kick that grazes Hamill. Hamill shoots and gets the double leg Hamill is in the full guard. Hollett staying busy works to get up after 40 seconds or so. Hamill looks tired. He has nothing on his punches his hands are dragging he eats a right. Hamill cant get the take down. Hollett with another body shot. Hamill looks like jello out there. it sounds like the crowd is booing. 10 seconds and Hamill nails a belly to back slam after ducking under a spinning back fist. Hollett turtles and Hamill punches till the bell.

Round 3:

Hamill trying to pick up the pace some with the Diaz type striking. Hollett with a nice body shot. Hamill shoots and nails the take down. Hamill stacks him up and drops a couple punches. Hollett rolls over and turtles back up. Another minute now of Hamill punching a turtled Hollett. Hollett tries to roll and now Hamill is in Half guard punching. Hollett gets up and punches Hamill in the body. Hamill recoils and lunges forward and shoots the double again and punches away until they are stood back up. Hamill puts him on the fence and pulls his legs out from under him. Hamill punches from the top. He looked tired but those take downs looked easy.

Hamill landed 115 significant strikes 78% and six take downs. He landed 123 head shots 73%

Winner by judges score 29-28, 30-27, 20-27 Matt Hamill

Middleweights(185lbs)

Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann

Ref: Josh Rosenthal

Round 1:

Stann is the aggressor early and has Bisping backing up. Stann puts him on the fence and Bisping is able to reverse and put Stanns back on the cage. Both men with a few body shots. Stann walking forward again hits Bisping in the body than chin. Bisping his landing the straight lefts. Bisping shoots a double and Stann hops backwards on one leg. Stann defends and Bisping lands a knee against the fence. Stann takes a shot in the groin after they start back Bisping eats one. Stann defends another take down on one leg. As soon as Bisping lets go. Stann unloads with short looping punches. Stann gives chase and lands a right hand that wobbles Bisping.

Round 2:

Stann looking confident now gets the better of the shots so far. Bisping lands a left jab and shoots behind it. Bisping is able to pick up and drop Stann. Bisping in side control works the short punches. Stann reverses and now on the top with big punches. Rogan says he got thumbed in the eye as Stann was getting up and Bisping locks oh a front head lock. Stann works his way back to his feet. Bisping is working the straight jab and lots of small movements. Stann back pedals as Bisping shoots again once they hit the cage Bisping picks him up and slams him. This time from side control Bisping lands the elbows and tries for an americana.

Round 3:

Stann charges forward with a left right left. Stann goes for a body kick and Bisping powers forward and gets another take down. Stann is able to get up quickly and eats a straight right as they reset in the middle. They stand and swing away but nothing too significant lands. Bisping can’t get the take down this time . Bisping has him against the cage and pressing his weight into him. Bisping with and upper cut and Stann with a knee to the body. Bisping with a good left jab and right behind it. Stann comes back forward and eats another left jab. Bisping with a slam in the last minute and Stann hits him with the right. Bisping tries for another take down and gives up on it. Stann is charging forward with big rights and lefts trying to connect before the end.

Winner by Unanimous Decision ( 29-28×3) Michael Bisping

Flyweight(125lbs) Championship 5 rounds

Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson

Ref: Yves Lavigne

Round 1:

Benavidez with two punches and leg kick. Johnson with a stiff left this time as Benavidez comes forward. Benavidez ties him up and Johnson defends until he lands a nice knee as they break. Benavidez with a right high and low and Johnson retreats. Johnson with a nice straight as Benavidez comes forward. Benavidez cant get the take down and Johnson with a kick to the body and punch as they break. Benavidez tries to cut off the cage and Johnson with a body shot. Benavidez dives for the legs of a retreating Johnson. Johnson side steps right out of the way of a charging Benavidez. Benavidez rolls for a knee bar and Johnson drops down on him to stop him.

Round 2:

Johnson with a knee and Benavidez with a spinning back fist and Johnson steps to the side again. Benavidez comes forward and this time nails him with a leg kick and misses on the punches. Demetrious with a nice leg kick and back pedals as Benavidez comes forward and Benavidez lands three right hands. John son with the lead right jab is finding its home. Benavidez gets ahold of his leg but Johnson spins it free. Johnson with a knee as Benavidez gets up. Johnson with another right jab. Benavidez with a left hand that lands as Johnson tries to knee and now Johnson is pressing forward. The round comes to close. Benavidez corner tells him he is up 2-0 but I would not agree with that.

Round 3:

Johnson now works the left lead jab. Johnson is so light footed out there. He catches a kick and and spins to take the back of Benavidez. Benavidez rolls forward to try and get the leg but Johnson is too quick and steps to the side and nails him with a right. Benavidez is cut open from the right of Johnson above the left eye. Johnson pressing forward now and Benavidez with a left and right. Johnson catches Benavidez with a finger to the eye and Benavidez back tracks just to be told by the ref he didn’t see it. Crowd was booing in this round.

Round 4:

Johnson with another right after he steps out of the way. Benavidez drops Johnson with the right and dives on him. Benavidez transitions from a front head lock to a guilotine choke with a full mount. Johnson fights it off and goes for a knee bar now. Benavidez back on top smothering him works to side control and Johnson sweeps and gets a front head lock and back to his feet. Johnson with a kick to the face. Johnson now gets the top position after Benavidez tries to roll for a leg. Johnson gets a take down now after they reset and pounds away at the body with elbows and punches till the round closes.

Round 5:

Johnson gets his third take down with a slam Benavidez quickly is up and Johnson slams him again. Benavidex pops up and into a head kick. Johnson is bouncing around with his hands down now trying to entice Benavidez to come in. Johnson ducks under a punch and grabs the double leg and just picks him up and sets him down. Benavidez is back up but not before a couple more body shots. Johnson is so fast. He steps to the side of a punch and lands a right hand. Benavidez tries for a take down Johnson steps back and kicks Benavidez in the side while he is on the ground. Johnson lands a couple more counter rights before the fight ends. I was all for Benavidez coming in but Johnson’s speed is absolutely amazing. Johnson looks like he was never hit in the fight.

Jones starts out the fight on the ground and Belfort kicks him. Jones looks to the ref since he was crawling along the ground. Jones ties up Belfort and takes him down. Belfort goes for an arm bar and it is deep. This is deep. Jones picks him up that arm is bent back far. Jones escapes and is in full guard Jones really working that left elbow has busted Belfort wide open. Jones with morre and more elbows. Jones isn’t using that right arm much. Belfort pushes him off and Jones dives back on top once more right before the end of the round and gets the mount.

Round 2:

Belfort with leg kick and Jones walks him back to the cage and Jones tries a front kick. Belfort ducks under a spinning elbow and has a head kick blocked. Jones working the front side kick right above the knee of Belfort. Half way through the round and not much for strikes. Jones with more of the kicks to the thigh. Belfort with an over hand right and they tie up. Belfort with a big knee then pulls guard. Belfort trying to block punches and looks to be setting up for another sub attempt. Belfort throws up the triangle right as the 10 second mark sounds. Belfort ran out of time.

Round 3:

Jones with a side kick again to the thigh than to the head and back to the thigh. Side kick to the body from Jones. Belfort falls to the canvas after a delay. Jones dives on top and Belfort almost gets an omoplata before Jones escapes and has the ref stand up Belfort. Belfort with nice looping left. Jones with more kicks to the thigh. Jones tries for another spinning back kick and Belfort steps to the side and ties him up. Belfort pulls guard. Jones with a few elbows. Belfort looks to be working for a submission Jones throws the right elbow but there is nothing on it. Jones finishes the round on top.

Round 4:

Belfort with a head kick and they tie up. Belfort with an upper cut. Belfort pulls guard again and Jones moves into side control pins the arm of Belfort delivers elbows than locks on the americana and Belfort taps.

Winner by Submission at of Round 2 and still UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones

Jones tells Rogan “Belfort had that armbar locked in every way.” and that he felt his arm pop but he wasn’t going to give up.